Monday, January 24, 2011

Epic Fails


Seriously, what dumb ass did not see the driveway they were putting the pole in?

When are people going to learn that when your trying to beat someone while your driving  you are likely to get in an accident and it's going to take you even longer to get where your going.


I guess that didn't work. Time to go back to the drawing table.

Next time they will know to use a pizza pan.

I wonder how many people paid $5 for a $3 cheeseburger before someone said something?

2010 Tax Returns

I filed my taxes yesterday looking forward to getting a big return back. Well, to my surprise there were some changes. I will be getting back significantly less than in previous years and we have to pay the state. You can still claim the itemized deductions. They say they haven't changed for 2010 and have been repealed for 2011 and 2012, as well. The phase out law was repealed. I don't know if it was just me, but it seems like the deductions didn' t help as much.

 I was getting unemployment benefits in 2010, they changed that too. They are no longer giving you a tax break on the first $2,400. So, if you received unemployment benefits in 2010, expect to get hit with more taxes. This is the worst possible time for them to be doing this. With this many people on unemployment they are going to pull this. Like you can afford to pay more when your unemployed as it is. Now, you have to pay more taxes on your unemployment benefits. I would like to know what they are doing with all of our money. Unemployment hits employers big time. Your employer has to pay unemployment every quarter and it is no chump change either. I used to pull in some descent wages, so I was hit with a couple hundred dollars in taxes a week. So, the way I look at it,  I paid into and this is the first time I have collected unemployment in my lifetime of working. I just get a little tired of them hitting the middle class so hard with taxes. Who do they hit with the tax increase? The unemployed. Make sense of that one.

Yes, if you bought a home in 2008 and 2009 and claimed the credit. Plan on paying back 1/15th of the credit back. I didn't buy my home in 2008 or 2009, but I really don't think it is fair for the U.S. Government to tell you have to pay back money for a credit they have already given you. To me that is a bunch of bullshit. 

The deductions for sales tax on new vehicles purchased in 2009 is gone. The break lapsed at the end of 2009 and was not reinstated. Boy, I'm glad I bought my car in 2008 instead of 2009.

However, the adoption credit was increase from $12,150 to $13,170. The credit was made 100% refundable for 2010. Where as in previous years it was not.

Also, Congress has passed a tax-law placing more pressure on professional preparers to e-file, instead of paper returns.

To say the least, I was not pleased when I filed my tax return yesterday. We fell in that group that got hit with the changes.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Coach Shoes- Spring Collection

Spring is just around the corner and I can't wait. Here are a few of my favorites from Coache's Spring Collection.

Alba Python Heel (very sexy)

New Jody Wedge (Very cute... I want these)

Jody Wedge

Jody Wedge. (I couldn't pick just one.)

Jody Wedge

Jazlyn Wedge. Also available in black. (Love these)

Go Steelers!

E-Trade Baby Could Be Wrong About The Steelers Tonight.

Strange Encounters On The Subway


Imagine sitting next to that on the subway.

I guess he couldn't wait until he got home.

Wow, she's vibrant.

He looks sad, like he just lost a war.

She has a look on her face like, please move over.

What would want to make you wear this?

Big Bird looks exhausted. He must have had a rough day on Sesame Street


Wow... He must have had a rough day at fighting crime.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

More Roundabouts To Come To Michigan


Michigan plans on building more roundabouts, saying they have fewer accidents than a typical intersection. I'm not too sure about that. I haven't encountered one yet, but they look pretty damn confusing to me and they don't look like they could help reduce the number of accidents in Michigan at intersections and the number of dangerous accidents. They claim the circle forces drivers to reduce their speed. But, it looks like there may be more fender benders with drivers entering the roundabout or drivers trying to change lanes in the roundabout, because they got in the wrong lane. To me it looks like your driving on a maze and could easily get off on the wrong road or get stuck driving in the inner lane going in circles if their happens to be a lot of traffic and you can't get in the correct lane.  They say the trick is to get into the correct lane entering the circle. So, if you will be turning left, you get in the left lane and if you will be turning right, get in the right lane. Who knows? I guess we will see as more roundabouts are built in the area.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Arbor Mist Evening

Last night was an Arbor Mist evening, before dinner! I am not normally someone who drinks in the evening at home except for when I am socializing. But yesterday, I poured me a glass of wine before dinner. My children were driving me insane. All they did was bicker back and forth over everything. I poured myself a glass of wine and my youngest says "Mom, why are you drinking that?" My 19 year old replies, "Because, you guys are driving her to drink." Then my 11 year old son says "Mom, your going to die from liver failure and when you do, I am going to tell you it's your own fault." Too funny, that shows how little I do drink around the house, they start questioning why I am drinking.

When things get crazy around here and they are doing a lot of bickering, I start deducting 15 minutes from their bedtime for every time they argue and it usually works, because they hate going to bed early and missing their favorite shows. But, last night, it didn't work! They just kept going at each other. Their bedtime is 9:30. Last night, Sammy got herself down to 8:15 and Adam got himself down to 8:30. Keep in mind they get a warning before I start deducting time. They were so angry about having to go to bed early, they refused to give me a kiss goodnight. So, I told them "I love you and I know you love me too." They just glared at me and stomped off to bed. After a few glasses of wine, I was taking the evening in stride and found it inside of myself to find the situation humorous.
I can't wait for spring to get here, so they can go outside and play, ride their bikes and play with their friends. I think they are beginning to get cabin fever. Today is a half day at school, God help me.

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